Imagine this: a young girl decides she wants to start reading more. Encouraged, her mum takes her to a bookshop to pick out a few titles. But how do you know what is actually suitable?
We live in a world where books can explore triggering themes, explicit content, and complex relationships, yet many of them are wrapped in bright, colourful covers that might suggest otherwise. The fear of picking up the “wrong” book is very real.
It raises an important question: should books have age ratings like films and games?
With the rise of popular books on platforms like TikTok, particularly through the #BookTok craze, there has been a surge in “spicy” recommendations. Younger readers are increasingly drawn to genres like fantasy, romance, and romantasy, where the line between Young Adult and Adult fiction is becoming more and more blurred.
Age ratings for films were introduced by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) to protect children and young people from inappropriate or harmful content, such as violence, sexual themes, or strong language. These ratings also help parents make informed decisions. A similar system was quickly adopted for video games, but not for books.
So why is that?
One reason is the sheer volume of books published every day across the world. Regulating them all would be a huge task. More importantly, books are subjective. A single story can affect two readers in completely different ways. What feels appropriate, or even meaningful, to one person might be distressing to another. Because of this, the responsibility is often left to the reader, or their parent, to research and decide whether a book is suitable.
When we talk about ratings, we are usually referring to systems like the BBFC’s: U, PG, 12A, 12, 15, and 18. These are clear categories that signal what kind of content to expect, and there is something reassuring about that clarity.
And yet, this is a question that keeps coming up. On social media, in bookshops, and at book clubs, people are constantly asking, is this book appropriate? Even booksellers do not always have the answer. It is becoming harder to judge, especially when books with cartoon-style covers can contain very adult themes.
So, should there be a stronger safeguarding system in place?
Explicit content, violence, and darker themes are arguably easier to stumble across than ever before. Some form of guidance could help parents, and even readers themselves, make more informed choices. With films, games, and TV all regulated in some way, it does raise the question of why books are different.
On the other hand, reading is deeply personal. A mature 13-year-old may be more equipped to handle certain themes than a sensitive 18-year-old. Books rely on imagination, and that experience varies hugely from person to person.
There is also the question of censorship. Who decides what is appropriate, and where is the line drawn?
Some readers encounter powerful books “too early”, and while that can be challenging, it can also be meaningful. It can spark curiosity, empathy, and important questions. Whether that is a positive or negative experience often depends on the individual reader and the support around them.
Personally, I can see both sides. I think there could be value in introducing some form of rating or guidance, whether that is clear content warnings or age recommendations. Much like films and games, the final decision should still rest with the reader or parent.
Ultimately, I would like to think people could pick up a book without feeling uncertain about what they might find inside.
What is your opinion? Should we let readers discover books freely, or should there be more guidance? Are age ratings a form of protection, or a restriction?
Bibliography
https://extranet.who.int/agefriendlyworld/
https://saferinternet.org.uk/guide-and-resource/how-are-age-ratings-for-apps-and-games-rated
https://www.reddit.com/r/books/comments/uvwa5f/do_you_think_books_should_have_age_ratings_the/
https://rebeccabradleycrime.com/2014/10/20/should-books-be-age-certified/
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2008/oct/27/age-banding-childrens-books
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